Chapter 21
Su Ying slept all throughout and was awakened by the hushed tones of the kids talking. Pretending to be asleep she listened to what they were chatting.
"Brother, mother is so pretty. Her cheeks are like those white bun Shi Duo's mother bought for him" Xiao Ming giggled.
"You're right little brother. It makes me want to eat it. But it's not good because mother will be hurt".
The little one pondered on his brother's words and nodded in agreement. Su Ying who was already speechless at being compared to a white bun felt her eye lids twitch. Chuckling she pretended to scare them.
"Boo"
"Ah....
They kids shouted in fear as they were startled, Su Ying laughed out loud seeing them frightened. The kids regaining themselves saw it was there mother relaxed and joined her laughing. After a while of playing around Su Ying looked out of the window and noticed it was almost 2pm.Remembering that there was nothing to eat she decided to make a trip to the mountains to look for a prey to eat.
She got of the bed and went outside with the children trailing behind her. She did some light stretches before instructing Xiao Yu.
"Ah Yu go inside and get me the whole then join us at the backyard"
"Yes mother"
Without asking questions Xiao Yu ran inside to get the hoe while Su Ying with Xiao Ming went to the backyard. Su Ying stood at the backyard looking at the plot she wanted to plant vegetables and mentally calculating how to plant the vegetables. The land was not less than a plot which was enough to plant some vegetables and trees. She could also plant a fruit at the center of the land to serve as shade from the sun so when one felt like relaxing they could go there.
Their courtyard was relatively large and empty so she could also plant a fruit at the front yard to make the compound more full. She could almost imagine how beautiful it would be and how they could also eat the fruit when they ripe. Lost in thought, Xiao Yu came with the hoe and handed it over to her. Re-collecting herself she took it from him and started making small ridges.
She divided the land into two and made ridges at the both. After that she made holes enough to accommodate the seed but not too big. The kids watched her intently as she worked in the land and learnt how to do it. They immediately joined her in making holes leaving enough distance between the holes to not entagle themselves when they start growing. With their help the walk was finished in two hours and they were already hungry and thirsty.
Looking at their disheveled appearance she stood up and went into the house washed her hands and entered the kitchen. She got two usable cups and filled it with spring water and headed outside. Su Ying give it to them to drink and said
"You both drink some water to moisten your throat as you must be thirsty right now. Mother will go into the mountains to look for food so we can eat tonight. You both stay in the house obediently I will be back very soon before your father gets home".
The kids nodded obediently on hearing her instructions. The water was sweeter than before and made them feel full and not so hungry anymore. They also didn't feel so tired anymore as they were before. Su Ying looked at their appearance and reminded them again.
"You both wash your hands and wait for me to come back and bathe you properly."
Obediently responding they ran off to wash their hands in front of her. Su Ying smiled before going to get the basket and going up the Swinging it over her back she entered the mountains. It was getting darker so she hurried up into the mountains. In this era without torchlight, she couldn't stay out too late because of snakes and other dangerous animals. As she walked, the only sound heard was the occasional chirping of the birds and the crunching of the leaves as she marched on it.
Walking a few minutes more she spotted something that flashed past her. Su Ying stopped at her tracks to see the creature and as expected it ran past her again and she spotted it immediately. Su Ying was excited, it was actually a hare. She got her bow and arrow from her space and prepared to shoot. Hares were very fast animals especially one that was already an adult. Their fur could be used to make fur coat to wear during winter and the meat could either be roasted, boiled or steamed to be eaten. It was a delicacy which every part was utilized so she had to catch it.
She stood still as she drew her bow aiming for the hare. As soon as it flashed she released the arrow and a thud sound was heard. Su Ying smiled because she knew she didn't miss her aim. Heading to the direction of the sound she saw the hare on its last breath as it struggled to escape. Approaching it, she squatted to examine the hare and truly it was a male adult hare with brown fur which was now dyed red due to its blood. She picked it up and put it inside the her space and started heading home. She quickened her pace as it was already 4pm so relying on her memory she arrived at the foot of the mountain. From afar she could hear the kids playing along with some unfamiliar voices.
Entering the compound she saw her kids with two other boys around the age of 5 and 7 playing with them. On sighting her the quickly froze in fear looking like the saw a monster. The original host was a mean and fierce woman and other kids were not exempted from her actions. It was also one the reasons the kids didn't have any friends coming to their house due to their mother. Because they were always scolded and by the original host leaving the kids isolated.